Hi, I am looking into buying a new Octavia 2024 facelift 1,5 TSI DSG MHEV liftback, Standard trim, torsion beam, no DCC. I test drove it a few days ago and based on my experience with my current Ford Focus 2016 hatchback I found the Octavia suspension a bit soft and bouncy. Let say I had a boat like filling when driving through minor bumps. Since the test drive was too short I would be grateful to hear your opinion and personal experience. How do you fill the standard trim suspension and is it stable enough?

48 minutes ago, TonyRoman said:

Since the test drive was too short I would be grateful to hear your opinion and personal experience.

Car was solid stable like on rails when I had what appeared to be half dead shock absorbers. After I changed all 4 to new, I have the same feeling that car is a bit bouncy, especially on high speeds. Many people say it is ok for Octavia, including workshop to which I complained. I'm still in doubts it is ok, since all the cars on this platform I drove before were driving very solidly, sticked to the road.

Well I guess the car I've tested was with the OEM shocks and relatively new with 18k km on the clock but still felt soft and floaty!

21 hours ago, TonyRoman said:

based on my experience with my current Ford Focus 2016 hatchback I found the Octavia suspension a bit soft and bouncy

Indeed, the standard suspension on Octavia is comfort-oriented, if you like pushing the car on curves or winding mountain roads it may feel a bit floaty, or boat-like. If you hate that behavior AFAIK you have two options: get the DCC, or get the sportier suspension option which is also about 15 mm lower than standard IIRC.

@TonyRoman I assume you drove the Demonstrator as it was handed over so have no idea what the tyre pressures were.

I take a tyre pressure gauge and if the tyres are over or under inflated a tell the salesperson they need to get their act together and do the job properly.

Same as with the hand over of new or used cars. 

So, from what you say I understand that the standard suspension is pretty normal. If there is something "wrong" it may be related with the tire size, tire pressure or shocks condition?

Edited 4 July, 20241 yr by TonyRoman

On 03/07/2024 at 11:06, TonyRoman said:

Hi, I am looking into buying a new Octavia 2024 facelift 1,5 TSI DSG MHEV liftback, Standard trim, torsion beam, no DCC. I test drove it a few days ago and based on my experience with my current Ford Focus 2016 hatchback I found the Octavia suspension a bit soft and bouncy. Let say I had a boat like filling when driving through minor bumps. Since the test drive was too short I would be grateful to hear your opinion and personal experience. How do you fill the standard trim suspension and is it stable enough?

The Focus has an exceptionally good suspension set-up.  If top-notch suspension is what you want, you'll need to choose your Skoda carefully.

I have IRS all round and it's fine. Not great IMO, but more than satisfactory for my needs.

It might be worth having a go in a vRS with DCC and see if that suits you better.

44 minutes ago, TonyRoman said:

I understand that the standard suspension is pretty normal

No, I'm saying the exact opposite: standard suspension on Octavia is set to be softer - therefore if you drive faster around the corners you'll feel it has a tendency to oscillate/float outside the curve, and on straight lines over high speed bumps it will normally feel a bit "as a boat over the waves" - as you described in your first post.
If your driving style is calm - then there's no problem. If you're usually hard on the accelerator - get the stiffer suspension, or the DCC one.

1 hour ago, EnterName said:

The Focus has an exceptionally good suspension set-up. 

 

May be this explains everything. I own and got used to Ford Focus suspension and riding style for more than 8 years and this abrupt change to standard soft O4 suspension makes me fill uncomfortable even at low speed. The float and the lack of road feedback makes me nervous somehow! May be I will make a second test drive to give it a second chance. Otherwise it is a pretty nice and very well equipped car with a nice price reduction of 4k euro till the end of Euro 2024 for a limited trim versions unfortunately.

10 minutes ago, TonyRoman said:

 

May be this explains everything. I own and got used to Ford Focus suspension and riding style for more than 8 years and this abrupt change to standard soft O4 suspension makes me fill uncomfortable even at low speed. The float and the lack of road feedback makes me nervous somehow! May be I will make a second test drive to give it a second chance. Otherwise it is a pretty nice and very well equipped car with a nice price reduction of 4k euro till the end of Euro 2024 for a limited trim versions unfortunately.

I came from a Mk3 Mondeo that was a joy to drive, and I've had to adapt to the set-up in my Octavia.

C'est la vie!

Edited 4 July, 20241 yr by EnterName
deleted repetition.

I'm the other way. Couldnt stand the focus steering/suspension where it would react to every single bump and hole.

 

I've got the IV version which has got IRS all round. It does bounce a bit but I put that down to the battery weight. Sticks to the road ok though. Just takes a bit of driving to get confident it will hold. But once you work it out it's happy to do a decent speed over 60 down country roads and soaks up the holes a bit

Edited 4 July, 20241 yr by Novascape

I went from a Focus to a mk3 Octavia 2 years ago and found the same. You get used to it though and it isnt that bad. I find the steering on the Skoda better than the Focus - the Focus was pretty weird steering and a bit vague. Focus was definitely quieter though.

Well, I had 2 more drive tests in order to understand and really feel the standard O4 suspension. I can agree it is not that bad. I now wonder about DCC but considering the tight Ford suspension I got used to I doubt I will ever need the Comfort mode since it is even softer than the standard one. I was told the regular O4 suspension set-up is in between the Normal and Sport mode in DCC O4 which I find satisfying. May be if I order non-DCC version I will miss the Sport mode in some minor situations but I will save some 1000 euro and quite expensive electronic shocks replacement in the future.  

One last question, please, If I order a standard trim with a 15 mm lowered sport suspension /not exactly sure it is the same as in vrs models/ would the car will be too stiff and hard or it will be just fine for a casual driving?